During the first of two weather-related delays early Thursday morning, Xavier Prep girls golf coach Sr. Lynn Winsor got out her record book of 43 past tournaments.

She pointed to the only one that was weather shortened. -- the 1987 tournament held in El Mirage. A huge storm that year forced the outcome to be determined by results of the first 18 holes. Not that she meant it to be an omen, but...

For the second time in the history of AIA-sanctioned girls golf tournaments weather, primarily lightning, served to make the 2016 tournament an 18-hole event. at Aguila Golf Course in Laveen. Xavier came out on top, since it had a two-shot lead over runner-up Hamilton after Wednesday's opening round. Millennium was third, Red Mountain fourth and Corona del Sol fifth.

And because three golfers -- Xavier's Elizabeth Caldarelli and Ashley Menne and Hamilton's Hannah Li - shot 2-under par 70s on Wednesday, they were declared tri-champions.

"Shades of 1987," Winsor said. "We were looking forward to playing better today (the Gators were). I think it was the fair thing to do."

Hamilton coach Steve Spykstra, as did most if not all coaches, agreed with the ruling that was tied to PGA rules.

"It was fair," Spykstra said. "You can only do so much with the weather as it was."

For Caldarelli, a senior, it was the first time in three state tournament appearances she medaled (top-10 finish). She was leading the tournament at 3-under when play was stopped for a second time at 3 p.m. by lightning. Caldarelli tied for 19th last year (and was 11th in 2014.

Menne, a freshman, has much to look forward to in the future. The next best thing for her is winning a title outright. She was two shots back of Caldarelli when play was halted mid-afternoon.

Lii, one of two seniors in Hamilton's lineup, also took home a medal for the first time in three tries at state. She tied for 13th in 2015 and was 15th in 2014.

Rounding out the medalists for this year's tournament: Xavier's Emily Mahar, fourth with a 71; Hamilton's Alyzzah Vakasioula, fifth at 72; Red Mountain's Belle Balkan, sixth at even-par; Hamilton's Toni St. John, seventh at 75; and a four-way tie at eighth among Millennium's Ava Smith, Desert Ridge's Brooke Beyer, Corona del Sol's Emma Lower and Millennium's Madeleine Laux. They shot 77.

A highlight of the tournament was participation by Sandra Day O'Connor's Amy Bockerstette. Bockerstette, a junior with down syndrome, earned her way on to the Eagles' tournament lineup this season. Her first round score was high, but included a birdie and par. It was uplifting watching her play with confidence and with a swing many wish they had. She was accompanied during her round by her caddie and swing coach, Matt Acuff.